4 Smart Ways to Curb Nighttime Cravings

I don't know about you, but when the clock strikes 8 p.m., my cravings go into high gear. You too? Here are four smart ways to keep your evening eating in check from wellness expert Melissa Cassera ...

Late night eating can sabotage a healthy eating regimen," says Melissa Cassera, a former community health educator who's now a spokesperson on health and fitness topics. "Some people even take in more calories in one late-night snack session than they did the entire day!" Hey, a healthy snack is always a good idea, but if your evening eating is getting out of control (been there, done that!), here's Melissa's advice on how to reign things in:

1. Use your Tivo:"Set your Tivo to record all your favorite TV programs and start watching them 15 minutes late. That way you can skip through the commercial breaks as you watch them--and leave no time to get up for a snack!"

3. Ruin your taste buds with peppermint. "Brush your teeth, sip peppermint tea or pop a piece of gum. After filling your mouth with peppermint, you'll be less likely to snack because nothing will taste good!"

4. Eat well balanced meals throughout the day. "The leading cause of overeating at night is deprivation during the day. Feeling satiated from healthy, filling meals will help you avoid the late night snack binge."